The Nigerian Army will continue to review its operations to reinvigorate ongoing operations against non-state actors.

Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja said this at opening a three-day retreat for past and present commanders of army operations in North-West on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Lagbaja said the security situation in the North West was made complex by activities of non-state actors who engage in banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling, illegal mining and violent attacks on innocent citizens.

These activities, he said, had led to the destruction of lives, properties and means of livelihoods.

According to him, the activities of these non-state actors have continued to impact the security environment across the country despite unrelenting efforts by the army, sister services and other security agencies to curb the trend.

The army chief said that surmounting insecurity in the North West region needed periodic review of the situation to truly understand the generality and specifics for seamless planning and execution of operations.

According to him, threats are always fluid and evolving, thus requiring them to adapt quickly to be at least a step ahead of the adversary.

Mr Lagbaja said the retreat would allow operational and tactical level commanders to step away from their normal routines in the field and theatres of operations.

He said this would also review their past and present performances to reinvigorate future operations. He added that the retreat would allow time for introspection, which will not only stimulate new perspectives and creative thinking but also facilitate problem-solving.

Mr Lagbaja thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to the army, pledging to execute his priority of securing the nation within the shortest time possible.

He also commended the troops for their perseverance, patriotism, and sacrifice and those who paid the supreme prize for the country.

The NARC director-general, Garba Wahab, said any operation beyond six months was subject to a review or after-action review, adding that the North West operation had lasted for years.

Mr Wahab said there was a need to bring the past and present operations commanders together to proffer strong and profound solutions to the issues of operations, administration, logistics, and intelligence collaboration.

He said that the centre believed that bringing the commanders together would assist in getting new ideas and solutions towards creating an enabling environment in the area.

According to him, the military cannot solve the problem completely, but it should provide an enabling environment for other activities to take place. 

(NAN)